KATIMA MULILO – The Northern Regional Electricity Distribution Company (Nored) has launched its prepaid meter audit and customer profile update project to mitigate illegal connections.
The project launched recently in Katima Mulilo by Zambezi Regional Governor, Lawrence Sampofu, is primarily aimed at improving billing and revenue collection to reduce losses. It comes in light of the increase in illegal power connections.
The project, which is targeting about 80 000 prepaid meters in the confines of Nored’s area of operation, which is the northern regions will start in Zambezi before moving to other regions such as Kavango East and Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati and Kunene. It will run for a period stretching over three months.
Sampofu commended the power distribution company for its role in the country’s economy adding that its financial sustainability is therefore important for it to continue its operations. “I would like to recognize the importance of Nored electricity not only as a business venture but more so because it’s a hub of almost every aspect of our developmental desire. We would be able to improve the quality of life of the residents through an improved and effective service delivery when Nored remains financially sustainable. Electricity plays a vital role in the economies of our regions,” said the Zambezi governor.
Sampofu was however not happy that some residents seem not to heed calls against illegal power connections, that continue to inhibit efficient power supply and even worse, loss of lives.
“It is disheartening to learn that despite Nored’s information campaigns, the public is still complaining about power interruptions caused by illegal power supply, vandalism and theft of electricity. Sadly these undesirable and illegal activities have already in some instances led to loss of life and destruction of property,” lamented the regional governor.
Sampofu further appealed for cooperation among stakeholders in efforts aimed at eradicating illegal power connections.
“I urge you all for a concerted effort in total eradication of illegal supply and theft of electricity,” he implored residents.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Electricity Control Board (ECB), Siseho Simasiku, said at the event that illegal power connections were counterproductive given the prevalent predicament of lack of power sources and Namibia’s continued dependence on power imports.
“We have to note that power supply is becoming a problem in Namibia even though the government is working hard towards addressing that. Most of the power we have we import from outside. Even in those countries where we import from, power is becoming scarce and they have stopped supplying us. It has already happened with South Africa,” warned Simasiku.
According to Simasiku the auditing of the metering infrastructure would impact positively on the company and subsequently improve its service delivery.
Nored should continuously embark on such projects to avert losses. “We commend Nored for launching this project and urge them to make sure that this does not degenerate into a one-off exercise but is done periodically to sustain appropriate levels in billing and revenue collection,” said Simasiku.
According to Simasiku, apart from the recurrent losses, unauthorized power connections may damage power infrastructure and lead to constant power interruptions, resulting in re-investments.
“Unauthorized connections compromise quality of supply through losses due to breach of wiring standards, system overload induced voltage dips or distribution transformers tripping leading to unnecessary increased interruption frequencies. An illegal power connection is a criminal offence and perpetrators are liable for prosecution,” stated Simasiku.
Nored is the first regional electricity distributor (RED company to be established and it serves the northern regions of Namibia.
By George Sanzila